INDEXThe Wire September 7, 2012 Dude, wheres my house? The Final Westhoven Filter rocks the Tiki Bar Pig Bowl: 314th prevails Trooper Focus: Ooh-rah! Natural disaster survivors Movie: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire HunterThe WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo through news, features, command guidance, sports and entertainment. This DoD news magazine is an authorized publication for the members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The WIRE are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or Joint Task Force Guantanamo. It is printed by Defense Logistics Agency Document Services with a circulation of 1,200.5 6 9 10 12 14 18 NEWS FROM THE BAY Sgt. Maj. Scott SmithSergeant Major, JTF Guantanamo Ccommand orner Semper Paratus. Always Ready. This is the motto of the United States Coast Guard. It is a motto that they live by due to the primary nature of their mission. We at the Joint Task Force Guantanamo got a taste of that mission following the events leading up to the preparation for, and experience of Tropical Storm Isaac. For those of you who have gone through hurricanes or typhoons in the past, you know the capacity of destruc tion that can be caused by a storm of this magnitude. Others here at Guantanamo Bay may have felt slightly let down because the preparation for this storm far outweighed the actual destructive force displayed by Isaac. However, we must always remember that complacency and a false sense of security are enemies we must fight after events such as those we experienced several weekends ago. This especially holds true when the event does not quite live up to all the preparation. But being always ready is how we must continue in our daily lives in order to complete the mission assigned and take care of our Troopers. It does not matter that you have been in the mili tary for one year or 30 years; we have all gone through various types of training. From entry level training such as boot camp or basic training to military occupational specialty (MOS) school and on to career progression schools, we have all received instruction on how to stay alive, complete our mission, and lead those under our charge. The experiences that we have gained so that we are able to react in a combat environment. We train so that we are better prepared for a myriad of different missions that we may be involved in we carry gas masks in theater, we wear body armor, and we receive preventive medical treatment so that we are able to adapt to the environment that we may be exposed to. Getting ready for a major storm that has the potential to degrade the ability to complete our mission and put the troops in harms way unnecessarily is what we do as service members. For several days following the aftermath of the storm it was not unusual to hear sarcastic remarks in reference to the big storm not following through with the force predicted. It is this complacency that needs to be of concern to all lev els of leadership. All it takes is a look back at some recent storms that have threatened the United States to see that not taking things seriously has dangerous consequences. When Hurricane Irene threatened the East Coast and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita threatened the Gulf Coast, many people followed evacuate potentially danger ous areas. Many others chose to ignore that advice and ride out the storm. As Im sure you saw from the news coverage, some of those people later regret ted their decision. Our role is to ensure the safety of our personnel and our mission. Risking either of those by not doing the necessary storm preparations isnt worth the gamble. As always, continue to take care of each other and do the right thing, even when no one is looking. COMMAND CORNER THE WIRE | PAGE 2 THE WIRE | PAGE 3 JTF GuantanamoCommander Rear Adm. John W. Smith Jr. Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. James Lettko Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Scott Smith Office of Public Affairs Director Navy Capt. Robert Durand: 9928 Deputy Director Air Force Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley: 9927 Operations Officer Army Maj. Jon Powers: 3649 Command Information Officer Army 1st Lt. Amelia Thatcher: 3499 Senior Enlisted Leader Sgt. 1st Class Rick McNamara: 8141The WireSenior Editor Army Sgt. Ryan Hallock Layout Editor Army Pvt. Loren Cook Copy Editor Spc. Vanessa Davila Assistant Editor Mass Communication Spc. 3rd Class Brian Jeffries Photojournalists Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven Army Staff Sgt. Lewis Hilburn Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Joshua Hammond Mass Communication Seaman Hannah Wilhide Webmaster Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Keith SimmonsContact usEditors Desk: 3499 Commercial: 011-5399-3499 DSN: 660-3499 E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil/wire/wire.html Joint Task Force Guantanamo Safe Humane Legal Transparent Cover: A service member attached to the 193rd Military Police Company defends the goal during the Pig Bowl soccer tournament. The Pig Bowl is an event hosted by the 525th Military Police Battalion, in which all the companies within the 525th compete for the coveted trophy. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian JeffriesThe experiences that we have gained help to build and maintain our that we are able to react in a combat environment. Dont get eaten alive!As the bites on my legs can attest, all the rain weve been having has created ideal mosquito breeding conditions. If youd like to see fewer mosquitoes, drain as much standing water as you can, turn over unused containers that can collect water, and do not disturb any mosquito trapping equipment that might be in use. You can also avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, wear pants and long-sleeved shirts, and use insect repellent containing DEET. Mosquitoes can leave more than itchiness. They are also vectors for West Nile virus. If you experience headaches, body aches, and have numerous bites, call 72944. Your health could depend on it! Safe Ride!Out drinking? Thinking about driving? Put the keys down! Save your life, the lives of others, and your career. Call 84913/84781. Enrich yourself!CLEP and DSST testing have returned. You can earn college credit for free! Register at www.ccis.edu/guantanamo. The next test is Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m. October tests are scheduled for Oct. 13 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Oct. 23 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call 75555. Learn to read music!Want to learn what all of those weird arcane symbols on sheet music mean? Theres a class for that! An eight-week basic music theory for adults class begins Sept. 14 at the W.T. Sampson High School band room. Class runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and costs $120. Register today at the Child Development Center to secure your seat. For more information, call 77302. Register your POV!Attention all POV owners! In accor dance with Naval Station GTMO Instruction 11200.1B, all POV owners are REQUIRED to register their POVs. Outdoor Recreation at the MarinaCome down to the Marina Sept. 15 at 8 a.m. for a free guided hike, or Sept. 16 for a guided kayak trip. Register by 3 p.m. Sept. 14. There is also a guided bike trip Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. Register by 3 p.m. Sept. 21. On Sep. 30, MWR will host the MWR/ NEX Customer Appreciation Fishing Derby from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration is free, but act fast and register before Sept. 26! Prizes will be awarded for the longest male and female snook, barracuda, and shark. For more information, call the Marina at 2345. Display good Mule or Gator etiquette!How would you like to receive a smile and a friendly wave from other drivers? Practice good etiquette when driving a Gator or Mule. Pull over for faster-moving vehicles and you will receive a friendly wave. Consideration of others on GTMO roadways is part of defensive driving. Do your part! Before you pull over, make sure you arent going to hit an iguana! Red Cross closedThe American Red Cross office will be closed until Monday. Red Cross messages can still be sent to 1-877-272-7337. Cultural food festival around the world at the GTMO Cultural Food Festival tomorrow at the NEX Atrium from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Navy advancement examsNavy-wide advancement exams are this month! The E-5 exam is scheduled for Thursday at the Windjammer Ballroom. The doors open at 6:30 a.m. and will be closed at 7. Remember your CAC and name tape! Swat West Nile virus drain standing water!

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TROOPER T O TROOPER THE WIRE | PAGE 4 COMMAND INFORMA TION THE WIRE | PAGE 5 My favorite was Jem. I even named my dog after her!Staff Sgt. Chinon Thome What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?Boots on the Ground The Incredible Hulk. Hes my idol.Spc. Danny AounWoody Woodpecker!Spc. Juan MoralesMy favorite was Looney Tunes.Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Andrew Rowberry Cyber criminals are out there. In 2010 there were over 300,000 cases reported to the In ternet Crime Complaint Center. Internet scams and identity theft were two of the top three crimes reported. California and Florida are the two States with the highest reports of cyber crime. Beware of websites offering Free Samples if you pay shipping costs, or people from foreign countries offering a reward if you wire them money. There are also scams PSEC ALERT PROTECT YOUR INFO! CYBER CRIME IS REAL Tradition has always been one of the key speeches that we have all received in the military from the day we join. You might wonder why something that happened 20 years, 50 years, or 200 years ago really affects your life today. Our lives are completely different, the mission is not the same, and we have nothing in common with a person who lived 100 years ago: these are some of the things we may hear. As much as things have changed though, tradition is what has driven you to where you are today. How do you know where to go if you do not remember where you came from? in the history of our services. The reason we perform some of these tasks is due to the tradition behind them. Some will be for ceremonial reasons and others are found to be the best way to complete the task at hand. Either way, they are there to drill into you the service that you provide to your country. Tradition can teach you things from the past to ensure the knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. In the Navy we have items like the Crossing the Line ceremony. Many people look at that and see events that they just do not understand. However, in the past, in the sailing days, get ting from one point to another was not the easiest thing. Crossing from one hemisphere to another was an important part of Sailors careers to show that they had done things others may never do. While that is primarily a Navy tradition, other services have similar events. As many have seen, being a chief petty ago when I learned that I was selected, I was thrown into a new world of procedures and privileges. During the approximately six weeks of training and indoctrinalearn many things that have been passed down for decades on the ways to act and duties that you will now perform. In the last several weeks of August and the next few of September people have been see ing the chiefs training the new chief selects. Whether it is PT in the morning, fundrais ing events, or community support at night and the weekends, this is my opportunity, along with all other chiefs, to give the guidance along with the tradition that had been passed to us. While my insight has been primarily with the Navy with a little view into some of the event of the Marine Corps, all services have some form of tradition that is passed from generation to generation. So whenever you wonder why we do events of tradition in the military, remember that you are performing the same actions that people in your service have been doing for years. It is a bonding event that people outside of the service might not know about or even understand. It will bring you closer together as a unit and will give you memories for the future. By Sgt. 1st Class Jerome GrantHouse-buying saga continuesChief Petty Officer Duane KingJ Spectrum Manager Steeped in traditionTrooper to Trooper In Issue 38 of The Wire, Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven gave some timely advice regarding the decision making process of whether or not to purchase a home and buy a home. Well, let me tell you, if you are deployed and your spouse finds that dream home while youre away, there are a few extra steps you need to take in order to close the deal. I know because my wife just closed on our new home on Aug. 15, and it involved a lot of phone calls, scanned documents, and waiting. My wife and I had been browsing for a new house for about two years when this deployment started. She continued to casually look after I left for Guantanamo Bay, and one day when I called home she said, I took the kids to look at a house today. When we walked in the front door, it felt like we came home. And so the house buying saga began. First we looked at our finances and percent of the asking price as down pay ment, a Veterans Administration (VA) loan was the way to go. We made an offer on the house, which was accepted on the condition that we get a VA loan. Then I went to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ and applied for a certificate of eligibility (COE). Once I got it, about a week later, I my lender and provided a copy of the COE. cial general power of attorney (POA), the various agents involved with the purchase process, including the realtors and title comfor the purchase of a home and all associated activities. To accomplish this I visited Navy Lt. Courtney Gordon-Tennant at the up with the proper document in less than 15 minutes. I scanned the document to the lender and mailed the original to my wife. Other documents that were necessary to make this all happen after the preliminary loan application included: 30 days of pay stubs for my wife and my most recent leave and earnings statement; two years of W2s; and a litany of purchase-related documents like the fully executed purchase agreement and various inspections. Even though my wife had the POA, I still needed to sign certain documents with the lender and scan them for email. And there were a lot of phone calls to make, coordinating documents traded between parties (make sure to have a full phone card when you do your calls). Depending on your credit history, you may be required to provide explanations of a late payment or multiple inquires on your credit. But since you followed the advice in Westhovens story, you probably already took care of that stuff. Near the end of the process, my command had to get involved to provide proof of current service and, then on closing day, had to send a memorandum stating that I was indeed alive and well and deployed to Guantanamo. The whole process took almost three months to complete once we made the offer. So if you are deployed when you decide to buy your home, youll need to be patient and have patient people working with you through the whole process. Stay with it, dont get discouraged, and maybe you too can return from deployment to a new home of record. Assuming your spouse tells you the new address.

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FEATURE THE WIRE | PAGE 6 For more than four decades, volunteers and staff on the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) state committees have worked to educate employers. That outreach to business and civic leaders now includes a focus on hiring of veterans. Less than a year ago, ESGR unveiled Hero 2 Hired (H2H) as part of the organiza tions Employment Initiative Program (EIP). This moved ESGR from ensuring the job of a deployed service member is there when they return home to actively addressing the unique needs of reserve component members in the job market. ESGR is fully engaged and now is given a purpose to interact with employers, said Tammy Cartagena, a New Jersey ESGR Program Support Technician. For nearly 40 years ESGR would recognize supportive workplaces with awards and get bosses to sign a statement of support. The interaction would end there. Now we have strong relationships with many employers all wanting to hire a service member, added Cartagena. With unemployment highest among younger veterans, the EIP uses a high-tech approach at the h2h.jobs website. Funded through the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Project, this Department of Defense site pulls job listings from across the nation. Along with the position openings, job seekers can use career exploration tools and education and training resources on H2H. jobs. It also automatically changes your military occupation code into civilian language and matches a service member to positions more information that a service member provides, the more jobs that will become available to them. cyberspace where reserve component service members can post a resume. The site provides networking opportunities along with Facebook and mobile apps for smart phones. Besides the more impersonal web-based service, ESGR offers what they refer to as high-touch approach employment events where reservists can learn of the U.S. Chamber of Commerces Hiring Our Heroes or similar hiring fairs. The goal of H2H is to help military-friendly companies find citizen warriors who have the right training and skills. On the 40th anniversary, ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz said in a state ment, Employers have met the last decades unprecedented demands on our military with an equal measure of dedication and endurance. In short, employers are an essen tial component of our national security equation. The underlying work of ESGR remains the same: to develop and maintain employer relations for National Guard and Reserve service members. Now ESGR is trying to add those serving to the nations employment rolls. Editors Note: Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven is a volunteer on the New Jersey State Committee for ESGR.Guard force to work forceBy Sgt. 1st Class Kryn Westhoven After 40 years, ESGR is out front in the job searchYOURE NEXT! Rear Adm. Smith says...De-Mobilization Checklist:WHEN YOU RETURN: In order to ensure a smooth transition back to work, you need to communicate with your employer. You have rights and responsibilities under USERRA. In order to be eligible for reinstatement following your service: 1. You must provide prior notice to your employer that you will be absent from your employment due to military service. Notice should be given as early as you have information of your departure. 2. You must leave your place of employment for the purpose of performing military service. 3. You must serve under honorable conditions for USERRA to apply. 4. You must not be absent for more employer, performing military service (with some exceptions). 5. You must report back to work following your service in a timely fashion. You must apply for reemployment or report back to work within the following guidelines: 1 30 days of service: Report to work the next scheduled work day. 31 180 days of service: Apply within 14 days after completion of service. 181+ days of service: Apply within 90 days after completion of service. It is recommended you present the appropriate supervisor and Human Resources (HR) representative with a copy of your discharge/separation order. If you were gone for more than 30 days and your employer requests proof of your service, you must provide it, once it is available. Following is a checklist of suggested items to do or check into upon your return: dental and vision plans without waiting periods for you and any dependents. information. other pension plans and determine if and how make up contributions will be made. Share your plans with your employer. job skills is necessary and share this with your employer. tion and harassment. phone numbers, and email address. a brief summary of your conversations with your employer. visor for their support and cooperation, nominate them for a Patriot Award at www.esgr.mil, select Award Your This checklist contains suggested actions to do or consider doing prior to service, all actions are not required to gain or maintain USERRA protections. For more information on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and USERRA go to www.ESGR.mil. Its u season, and vaccinations are required for military personnel. Vaccinations are also available free of charge for GTMO civilians and contractors. Flu shot or u mist? Depends on your age, allergies and other health conditions. Contact medical for more information. Contact your chain of command for vaccination times and location.

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Story and Photos By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Jeffries FEATURE THE WIRE | PAGE 10 THE WIRE | PAGE 11 FEATURE The 525th Military Police Battalion is a hardworking group of Soldiers, but that doesnt hinder them from having fun during their down time. On Saturday, in the middle of Labor Day weekend, the 314th Military Police Company took the crown as cham pion of the latest iteration of the Pig Bowl. From eight in the morning until noon, teams representing each company in the battalion played in a soccer tournament, hoping for a shot at the trophy and the bragging rights. The last game that ended the tournament was the 189th MP Co. against the 314th MP Co. It was a hard-fought game and very competitive; but in the end the 314th was too much, winning by a score of 2-1. Everyone cant win obviously, but its about more than winning and losing during the Pig Bowl. It is a chance for everyone to get out and have a good time with the people we work with, said Spc. Brandon Daniels. Daniels competed with Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC). Each battalion had its own set of jubilant fans, urging their respective teams to victory. Perhaps the loudest of the cheers came from the 193rd MP Co.s section in the crowd. This motivation probably came because before this tournament, they were the two-time defending champions of the Pig Bowl. Action on the field and on the sidelines led to a very festive event for the 525th MP Bn. The tournament gave everyone a chance to compete with their battalion, as well as bump shoulders with others that they normally dont see because of where they work and the hours, Daniels said in reference to how good the tournament was for him. He also added that he believes everyone gets a little bit closer because of these tournaments, and it promotes esprit de corps. After the tournament concluded, there was a trophy presentation. All of the com panies gathered in a horseshoe formation. cer of the 525th MP Bn. then presented the 314th with the trophy to the applause of all the participants. The next battalion tournament is scheduled for December, when each team will have the chance to assemble a basketball team and vie for the trophy once more. Dont miss an opportunity to support and be a part of the action. Battle at the Bay

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TROOPER FOCUS THE WIRE | PAGE 13 Sta Sgt. TROOPER FOCUS THE WIRE | PAGE 12 One of Tim Duncans philosophies to life given to him by his mom was, good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is your better, and your better is your best. This saying can be inter preted many ways, but you could say that it means to consistently practice something and never accept where you are; strive for excellence. If everyone in the world followed this motto then the planet would be a bet ter place. There are people you meet however that seemingly do follow this credo. These people are all very similar to U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremy Risner. Risners unswerving commitment to his duties separates him from the pack and allows him to accomplish his overall goals. He aims to get better at his job and be as good a leader as he can, all the while being a great a man overall. Risner has set these goals for himself since being in the Marine Corps. He admits that he wasnt always the most motivated or goal-oriented person but the Marines have set him on, what he believes to be, the right path. He originally joined to get out of his small town in Ohio, but he gained so much more. I just didnt want to get old in my town like so many people around me, I knew there was more for me, Risner said. Now Risner has been in the Marines for two and a half years and has never looked backed. Though he deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months before coming here to Cuba and is scheduled for another tour in Afghanistan next year, Risner remains upbeat and motivated to complete his mission each day. Risner believes that there will always be challenges when in the armed forces, but if you remain positive, you can get through anything. I always like to make the best of a situation, Risner said referring to how he remains positive on his time away from the States. He also added that no matter what, the good days always outweigh the bad, and he has no regrets about his decision to join the Marines. Risners Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a forward radio operator. Out in establishing communications through radio frequencies. Though Risner says a lot of guys get out of the Marines because of the job, he admits he probably will not. I believe in the mission, and during any deployment you need communicato report something; you have to talk to someone. I make sure that is possible. Since returning from Afghanistan, the mission for Risner has changed slightly. He made corporal (E-4) and has had to accept the responsibilities that the rank holds. He has welcomed the chance to be a noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the Marine Corps. Marine NCOs start at E-4. This is a big difference between other branches since the NCO title isnt typically given until E-5. Risner admits that he didnt have a lot of chances to lead back stateside but has been given an amazing opportunity here. There were so many corporals at my unit, but here Im the [nonmy shop and Im in charge of two other Marines, Risner said. Risner is constantly looking for that next mission to tackle, never letting up. His line supervisor, Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel Gibbons, describes Risner in one word: hungry. I choose this word as a double meaning, Gibbons said. Cpl. Risner can eat nonstop all day long, for starters. He eats at least two plates at chow and always grabs dessert after yet he gains no weight. The other is that he is hungry in his attitude towards work. Even before he got here, he was hungry for the chance at an NCOIC billet and a chance to prove himself as a Marine NCO. Staying motivated and striving for excellence are wonderful traits to have, and Risner says he owes it all to the Marine Corps. Another aspect of life that Risner strives for is to be a great man. He just wants to be some body that people can look up to. This notion coincides with his ambition to be a good leader. He enjoys being ahead of the game so to speak. He looks forward to settling down with his girlfriend and even has three different retirement accounts. Leading others, striving for success, a serious relationship, and retirement accounts. Some might say its a lot for a 22-year-old, but not Risner. He believes he is right on track and all his hard work and dedication will make life that much easier for him in the future. Risners lifestyle is a lot like that old motto. Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is your better, and your better is your best. TrooperFocus Story and photos by Mass Communication Spc. Brian Jeffries

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When living in a big city you can always hear the constant flow of traffic, everything that was going on in the area. chatting on the Internet. It was creepy how the noise of the city W series following the life of ex-Marine Corps Aping up the East Coast. This Category the appropriate places. was trying to go.I worth every stingy penny. FEATURE THE WIRE | PAGE 14 THE WIRE | PAGE 15 FEATURE By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Custer NATURAL DISASTERSBy Army Sgt. Dani White Blackout 2003Hurricane IsaacBy Army Sgt. Landis Andrews Hurricane IreneHurricane Floyd: an obituary for my AtariBy Army 1st Lt. Amelia Thatcher

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MIND, BODY & SPIRIT THE WIRE | PAGE 17 By Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Andrew Schultz What type of learner are you? Mind, Body & SpiritOnly at GTMO by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Custer With Navy advancement exams quickly approaching, a lot of Sailors are start ing to think about the future. We all have our preferences as far as studying goes. Some of us like to simply read the instructions; others like Whether you are a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner, it is important to understand what kind of learning style works best for you. Some lucky dogs do well without even looking at their bibliography, but not all of us are lucky enough to scrape by without some effort. So for the rest of us, we continue to learn in the ways that help us remember the material. Here kind of learning style might just advance you to the next level in your career. Auditory learners make up approximately 30 percent of the population. You may be an auditory learner if you like to talk and study in a group environment. Enjoying listening to music while you study may also indicate you are an auditory learner. If you are distracted by uncontrolled, unpredictable background noise like a bus passing by or a noisy weed whacker, you may prefer this style of learning. While you study, you may want to read out loud or have somebody read the material to you. You can get audio tapes and listen to them while you are on your way to work or at the gym. Participating in a group discussion before independent study will also help you retain the material. The most important thing to remember about this learning style is that you learn by hearing. Anything you can do to receive the information in this way will help you remember. Visual learners make up around 65 percent of the population. This is the most preferred way of learning. If you are an organized per son and like to read, easily notice details, and have trouble following verbal directions, you may be a visual learner. To retain information and whiteboards. If youre a visual learner, Id encourage you to read the material. If you are trying something new, you should witness a demonstration before trying it yourself. Id also suggest acronyms, as visual learners tend to see patterns in words while learning. This being said, it is important to understanding root words and their meanings. Visual learners should remember that they perform best when they learn by seeing. Kinesthetic learners consist of about only 5 percent of the population. This is the least common style of learning. Individuals who tend to move around a lot, take frequent breaks while studying, and do not spend extended periods of time reading may be kinesthetic you can try studying for short periods of time throughout the day. Distractibility tends to be high in this group of learners, so puzzles and games are also encouraged. Making yourself comfortable is recommended for all learn ing, but this is especially true for kinesthetic learners. Minimizing distractions, to include background noise such as a TV, is also recommended. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing, so repetition is very important. Knowing what type of learning style comprehensive study habits. It is important to know that you may fall into one of these categories, but you could have characteristics from two or more of these groups of learners. You can prefer to read the material but at the same time enjoy listening to music while doing so. Everyone learns a little differently, and it is important to continue to try new ways you perform. As always, before taking an exam, get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Good luck!

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a U.S. fort in Charlestons harbor for the dire crime of attempting to resupply its garrison. Lincoln asks for volunteers to help put the rebellion down, angering four more southern-sympathizing states enough that they join the Confederates, and Americas deadliest war begins. I could go on and on about the historic Civil War, but it wouldnt be terribly relevant to this movie. Instead, I will say that the movie offers us a unique view of how the turning point of the Civil War came to be, and leave it at that. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, did a bait and switch, at least for me. On the sur face, it gave us exactly what it said it would. It was a movie about Abraham Lincoln hunting vampires. The problem with this movie is one of tone. As I said, I expected a campy good time, but this movie took itself seriFor that matter, it deviated highly from Seth Grahame-Smiths (Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies) book. I havent read the book, but I did read a plot synopsis, and I found far more character motivation than Zack-Snyderesque action scenes or armies of Confederate vampires. Had the movie been a straight adaptation of the book, the serious atmosphere of the movie could have been warranted. I dont mind mindless action movies, biopics, extremely offensive comedies, or period dramas. But this movie couldnt decide what it wanted to be, tried to be all of them instead, and failed.Movie from page 18 MOVIE REVIEW THE WIRE | PAGE 18 Movie Review There is a fairly reliable timetable for movie releases: there will be romantic comedies released in February into the spring; a few scary movies will be released in January for some reason, even though the in October while the nations psyche turns to Halloween; and feel-good Oscar-bait movies are held in reserve until December, usually in the last week of the year, in hopes of remaining fresh in the hearts and minds of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences when they make the nominations for that years Academy Awards. Movie studios know, however, that the youth of the nation seek relief from the oppressive summer heat by spending several hours in the air-conditioned comfort of the cinema, and summer is therefore the domain of the summer blockbuster: big-budget and sometimes low on character development or coherent plot. Weve already seen most of the summer blockbuster movies at GTMO, and what a crop it was, including, as it did, a hugelybudgeted movie based on a board game, of all things, two superhero movies of aboveaverage quality, a remake of a summer blockbuster from 22 years ago, a sequel to a yet shown at GTMO), and the comedy event of the season, starring a living teddy bear. Now were coming to the tail end of the blockbuster season, and its time for the also-rans. And with such a promising introduction, its time for my review of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Its a movie title that promises a campy B-grade action/comedy/horror movie, and didnt expect an award-winning biopic of the 16th President; I just expected a good time. The movie proposes that the first Republican president was leading a secret identity his whole life as a hunter of undead and used the slave trade to ensure a steady supply of unwilling bodies from which to drain the blood that sustained their unholy existence. Hmm, sounds good so far. That sounds share my vision of a campy good time when Young Abraham Lincoln intervenes when he sees a slave boy being beaten, and the overseer beats both of them. His father Jack Barts (Marton Csokas, The Debt). Unfortunately, Mr. Lincoln was paying a debt to Barts with his labor, but Barts chillingly informs him that there are other ways to pay. That night, Barts creeps into the Lincoln familys log cabin and bites Abes mother, who falls ill and dies the next day. Abe is told that Barts poisoned her. Nine years later, young Abraham is now a man (Benjamin Walker, Flags of our Fathers) and attempts to kill Barts in revenge. During Lincolns bungled murder attempt, Barts reveals himself as a vampire. Only the timely intervention of Sturges (Dominic Cooper, Captain America: The First Avenger), a stranger whom Lincoln met earlier that night, saves the future President from an unwanted bloodletting. Sturges reveals himself to be a vampire hunter and offers to teach Lincoln the tricks of the trade. Abe accepts, and one training montage/exposition dump and ten movie studies law textbooks in preparation for a future career as a lawyer, and meets Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, The Thing), the future Mrs. Lincoln, in between killing the citys vampires for Sturges. ance of one of Sturgess rules forbidding assignment hes been longing for and kills Barts amid a herd of stampeding horses in a well-done scene that perhaps borrows a bit too much from Zack Snyder. With his dying breath (Wait, do vampires breathe?) Barts tells Lincoln a secret about Sturges I saw from a mile away, and Lincoln finds and confronts him about it. Disappointed in his mentor, Lincoln is about to hang up his axe when his friend Will Johnson (Anthony Mackie, Man on a Ledge), the now-freed slave he defended as a boy, is kidnapped by head vampire Adam (Rufus Sewell, Amazing Grace) to use as a bargaining chip. Lincoln journeys to Adams New Orleans plantation and rescues Will, although the two barely survive. and gives up vampire hunting in favor of a law and political career, eventually winning from history class, seven southern states, frightened that Lincoln might infringe on their right to treat other humans as property, then seceded from the U.S., formed the Confederate States of America, and attacked By Pvt. 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